South Africa: Man sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife in a hospital

The High Court in Polokwane, South Africa, sentenced a 56-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife.

Molabe Fannie Seribishane, originally from Ngwaname Newstand in Mafefe, received his sentence on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, following his conviction for the murder of 52-year-old Mamsy Seribishane. The nurse was fatally shot on October 22, 2024, while reporting for duty at Lebowakgomo Hospital.

Mashudu Malabi, regional spokesman for the Independent Public Prosecution Authority (NPA), said the evidence presented in court showed that Seribishane had previously threatened his wife and violated a protection order granted in 2023.

Mr. Malabi stated that on the day of the murder, Seribishane went to the Lebowakgomo hospital where his wife worked, armed with a semi-automatic firearm. He shot his wife before fleeing in a white Volkswagen Golf 7.

Arrested on November 13, 2024, police found him in possession of a firearm that had been reported stolen in Seshego earlier that year. Ballistics analysis linked the weapon to the murder.

The court also heard that Seribishane had repeatedly threatened to set fire to the family home.

During the sentencing hearing, State Attorney General David Sebelebele argued that Seribishane had acted with a sense of impunity and was angry about the legal steps taken by his wife to resolve their marital disputes.

He argued that the murder was premeditated and that no substantial or convincing mitigating circumstances justified a sentence less than life imprisonment.

Judge Karin Leanee Pillay agreed with the state's arguments, calling the prosecution's case "irrefutable".

She pointed out that the accused had expressed no remorse and continued to blame others for the murder, despite the protection order issued against him before the incident.

"The accused has never shown remorse and has continued to blame others for the murder of his wife. He planned this murder and carried it out," said Judge Pillay.

In addition to the life sentence for murder, Mr. Malabi specified that Seribishane was sentenced to six years in prison for violating the domestic violence law, 15 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm, and six years in prison for illegal possession of ammunition.

The court ordered that these additional sentences be served concurrently with the life sentence. He was also declared ineligible to possess a firearm.